Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A source base station comprising: a controller; and a transceiver circuit, wherein the controller is operable to: control the transceiver circuit to receive data from a user equipment (UE); process, in a radio link control (RLC) layer, the received data to form RLC service data units (SDUs); deliver the RLC SDUs from the RLC layer to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, each RLC SDU corresponding to a respective PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) in the PDCP layer; process, in the PDCP layer, PDCP PDUs to form PDCP SDUs; control the transceiver circuit to deliver the PDCP SDUs to a communication network; control, during handover, the transceiver circuit to send a status report including a PDCP Sequence Number for identifying a first missing uplink SDU and information identifying any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs that need to be transmitted in a target cell to a target base station; and control the transceiver circuit to forward, to the target base station, out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs after sending the status report.
Wireless communication systems. This invention addresses the problem of reliably transferring data during a handover procedure in a cellular network, specifically ensuring that no data is lost or duplicated. The system involves a source base station equipped with a controller and a transceiver circuit. The controller manages the transceiver to receive data from user equipment. This received data is processed in a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer to create RLC service data units (SDUs). These RLC SDUs are then passed to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, where each RLC SDU corresponds to a PDCP protocol data unit (PDU). The PDCP layer further processes these PDCP PDUs to form PDCP SDUs. The controller then directs the transceiver to send these PDCP SDUs to the communication network. Crucially, during a handover process, the controller instructs the transceiver to transmit a status report to a target base station. This report includes a PDCP Sequence Number indicating the first missing uplink SDU and details about any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs that require retransmission in the target cell. Following the transmission of this status report, the controller controls the transceiver to forward any identified out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs to the target base station.
2. The source base station according to claim 1 , wherein said PDCP Sequence Number is associated with a mobile communication device.
A system for managing communication in a wireless network involves a source base station that processes data packets for transmission to a mobile communication device. The system includes a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer that assigns a PDCP Sequence Number to each data packet. This sequence number is uniquely associated with the mobile communication device to ensure proper ordering and tracking of packets during transmission. The source base station also includes a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer that segments the data packets into smaller units for transmission over the air interface. The RLC layer assigns an RLC Sequence Number to each segmented unit to maintain sequence integrity. The system further includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer that schedules the transmission of these segmented units based on available radio resources. The PDCP Sequence Number is used to track the data packets at the PDCP layer, while the RLC Sequence Number ensures the correct reassembly of the segmented units at the receiving end. This system improves data reliability and efficiency in wireless communication by maintaining accurate sequence tracking across multiple protocol layers.
3. The source base station according to claim 1 , wherein said transceiver circuit synchronizes data transmission status between the source base station and the target base station.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to base stations involved in handover procedures between a source base station and a target base station. The problem addressed is ensuring seamless data transmission during handover, which is critical for maintaining service continuity in mobile networks. The invention describes a source base station equipped with a transceiver circuit that synchronizes data transmission status between the source and target base stations. This synchronization ensures that data packets are correctly transferred and that the handover process is completed without data loss or service interruption. The transceiver circuit may also manage the timing and coordination of data transfer, ensuring that both base stations are aware of the current transmission state before, during, and after the handover. Additionally, the transceiver circuit may handle signaling between the source and target base stations to confirm successful data transfer and handover completion. This synchronization mechanism is particularly useful in high-mobility scenarios where rapid and reliable handover is essential. The invention improves handover reliability and reduces the likelihood of dropped connections or data corruption during the transition between base stations.
4. The source base station according to claim 3 , wherein said transceiver circuit synchronizes data transmission status between the source base station and the target base station on sending the status report.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to handover procedures between base stations. The problem addressed is ensuring seamless data transmission during handover by synchronizing transmission status between the source and target base stations. The system includes a source base station with a transceiver circuit that manages data transmission during handover. When a user device moves from the source base station to a target base station, the transceiver circuit generates a status report containing information about the data transmission state. This report is sent to the target base station to synchronize their transmission statuses. The synchronization ensures that data packets are correctly ordered and no data is lost during the handover process. The transceiver circuit may also monitor the transmission status to detect any discrepancies and initiate corrective actions if needed. This synchronization mechanism improves reliability and reduces interruptions in data transmission during handover in wireless networks.
5. The source base station according to claim 1 , wherein the out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs forwarded to the target base station comprise out-of-sequence uplink PDCP SDUs, and wherein each PDCP SDU is identified by an associated PDCP Sequence Number.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically to the handling of out-of-sequence Protocol Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs) during handover between base stations. The problem addressed is the efficient transfer of uplink PDCP SDUs that arrive out of sequence at the source base station before handover completion, ensuring seamless data transmission without loss or duplication. The system involves a source base station that forwards out-of-sequence uplink PDCP SDUs to a target base station during a handover process. Each PDCP SDU is uniquely identified by an associated PDCP Sequence Number, allowing the target base station to reassemble the data in the correct order. The source base station collects these out-of-sequence SDUs and transmits them to the target base station, which then processes them in sequence. This ensures that data integrity is maintained despite the handover, preventing gaps or duplicates in the transmitted data stream. The method improves reliability and efficiency in mobile communication networks by minimizing data loss during handover transitions.
6. A system comprising: the source base station according to claim 1 ; a target base station; and a mobile communication device.
A system for managing wireless communication handover between base stations includes a source base station, a target base station, and a mobile communication device. The source base station monitors the signal quality of the mobile device and initiates a handover process when signal degradation is detected. It transmits handover-related data to the target base station, including the mobile device's context information and resource allocation details. The target base station receives this data and prepares to accept the mobile device's connection, allocating necessary resources in advance. The mobile device, operating in a wireless network, communicates with the source base station until the handover is complete, at which point it switches to the target base station. The system ensures seamless handover by coordinating data transfer between base stations and minimizing service interruption during the transition. This approach improves reliability and efficiency in wireless communication networks by reducing handover delays and preventing dropped connections. The system is particularly useful in environments where mobile devices frequently move between coverage areas of different base stations, such as in cellular networks or Wi-Fi mesh systems.
7. A method performed by a source base station, the method comprising: receiving data from a user equipment (UE); processing, in a radio link control (RLC) layer, the received data to form RLC service data units (SDUs); delivering the RLC SDUs from the RLC layer to a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, each RLC SDU corresponding to a respective PDCP protocol data unit (PDU) in the PDCP layer; processing, in the PDCP layer, PDCP PDUs to form PDCP SDUs; delivering the PDCP SDUs to a communication network; sending, during handover, a status report including a PDCP Sequence Number for identifying a first missing uplink SDU and information identifying any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs that need to be transmitted in a target cell to a target base station; and forwarding, to the target base station, out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs after sending the status report.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving data handling during handover between base stations to reduce packet loss and ensure reliable data transmission. The problem addressed is the potential loss or misordering of data packets when a user equipment (UE) transitions from a source base station to a target base station, which can disrupt services like video streaming or real-time applications. The method involves a source base station receiving uplink data from a UE and processing it through multiple protocol layers. In the radio link control (RLC) layer, the data is segmented into RLC service data units (SDUs), which are then passed to the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The PDCP layer further processes these into PDCP protocol data units (PDUs), which are then sent to the communication network. During handover, the source base station generates a status report containing a PDCP sequence number to identify the first missing uplink SDU and information about any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs that need retransmission in the target cell. This report is sent to the target base station, followed by the actual out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs themselves. This ensures that the target base station can reconstruct the correct data sequence, minimizing packet loss and improving handover reliability. The approach is particularly useful in high-mobility scenarios where seamless data continuity is critical.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein said PDCP Sequence Number is associated with a mobile communication device.
A method for managing packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) sequence numbers in mobile communication systems addresses the challenge of tracking and synchronizing data packets in wireless networks. The method involves associating a PDCP sequence number with a mobile communication device to ensure proper ordering and integrity of transmitted data. This association helps distinguish packets from different devices, preventing misrouting or data corruption during transmission. The sequence number is used to track the order of packets, enabling retransmission of lost or corrupted data and maintaining reliable communication. The method integrates with existing PDCP protocols, which handle tasks such as encryption, integrity protection, and header compression. By linking the sequence number to a specific device, the system improves data management efficiency and reduces errors in high-traffic environments. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where multiple devices share the same network resources, ensuring accurate data delivery and minimizing latency. The method enhances overall network performance by providing a structured way to monitor and control data flow, supporting seamless communication in dynamic wireless environments.
9. The method according to claim 7 , comprising synchronizing data transmission status between the source base station and the target base station.
10. The method according to claim 9 , comprising synchronizing data transmission status between the source base station and the target base station on sending the status report.
A method for managing data transmission in wireless communication systems, particularly during handover between base stations, addresses the challenge of ensuring seamless data transfer without loss or duplication. The method involves synchronizing data transmission status between a source base station and a target base station when a status report is sent. This synchronization ensures both base stations have consistent information about transmitted and received data packets, preventing gaps or redundancies during handover. The process includes tracking data transmission progress, exchanging status updates, and coordinating the handover to maintain continuous service. By aligning the transmission status between the source and target base stations, the method minimizes disruptions and improves reliability in mobile communication networks. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where a user device moves between coverage areas of different base stations, ensuring uninterrupted data flow and efficient resource utilization. The synchronization mechanism may involve signaling protocols that facilitate real-time status sharing, allowing the target base station to accurately determine which data packets have been successfully delivered and which require retransmission. This method enhances the overall performance and stability of wireless networks by reducing handover-related errors and improving data integrity.
11. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs forwarded to the target base station comprise out-of-sequence uplink PDCP SDUs, and wherein each PDCP SDU is identified by an associated PDCP Sequence Number.
This invention relates to wireless communication systems, specifically improving data transmission reliability during handover procedures in cellular networks. The problem addressed is the loss or misordering of uplink data packets (PDCP SDUs) when a user device transitions between base stations, leading to degraded performance and potential service interruptions. The method involves forwarding out-of-sequence uplink PDCP SDUs from a source base station to a target base station during a handover process. Each PDCP SDU is uniquely identified by an associated PDCP Sequence Number, allowing the target base station to properly reassemble and order the received data packets. The solution ensures that data transmitted by the user device before, during, and after handover is correctly processed, minimizing packet loss and maintaining service continuity. The method builds upon a broader technique for handling out-of-sequence data during handover, where the source base station forwards data to the target base station before the handover is complete. The specific improvement involves explicitly managing uplink PDCP SDUs, which are data packets generated by the user device and transmitted to the network. By tracking these packets with sequence numbers, the target base station can reconstruct the correct order of data, even if some packets arrive out of sequence due to network delays or handover timing. This approach is particularly useful in high-mobility scenarios or networks with strict latency requirements, where maintaining data integrity during handover is critical. The solution enhances reliability without requiring significant modifications to existing network protocols.
Unknown
August 11, 2020
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.